Holocaust Education (1995)

WHEREAS, the Shoah (Holocaust) was a singularly horrific event in both Jewish and general history; and

WHEREAS, in order to ensure that no similar cataclysm ever again befalls humankind, it is essential to make the awareness and understanding of the Shoah an integral part of the consciousness of both the Jewish and general communities; and

WHEREAS, such awareness and understanding require a comprehensive educational undertaking of the parts of Jewish and general educators and educational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Holocaust education should ideally begin no later than the year preceding Bar or Bat Mitzvah; and

WHEREAS, numerous states have enacted or are in the process of considering legislation to make Holocaust education mandatory in their respective public schools;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon its congregations and Solomon Schechter Schools to make Holocaust education available and to make such education an integral element of the congregation's adult education curricula; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM supports legislation to make Holocaust education mandatory in public schools, and urges its affiliated congregation to actively support such legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM will support all appropriate means of educating the Jewish and general communities about the Holocaust, including visits by high schools and community groups to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California and other similar institutions and memorials.